SIBU: The continued poor response from pet owners to the free anti-rabies vaccination programme here thus far has disappointed Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee.

He said with only 503 dogs vaccinated up till yesterday, it is a near-impossible task to achieve the target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the some 35,000 dogs in the division within the two-week period.

“It is too far off our target of vaccinating 70 per cent, or 24,500, of the some 35,000 dogs in Sibu division within two weeks.

“There were 367 dogs vaccinated during the free anti-rabies mass vaccination at Sibu Jaya over the weekend.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), only 77 dogs were vaccinated at the same exercise at Durin basketball court near here. And today (yesterday), 59 dogs were vaccinated at Ulu Durin Kiba area, bringing the total to 503 dogs vaccinated as of Jan 24.”

Dr Annuar stressed that the strategy now is to intensify door-to-door distribution of pamphlets to create a heightened awareness among the public on the deadly disease.

Meanwhile, a mobile team reached out to several longhouses in the Durin area yesterday to get the residents to vaccinate their pet dogs.

Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman Robert Lau was part of the team.

Reacting to the effort, Dr Annuar stressed that although the risk of pet dogs being infected with rabies is lower than the strays, there is no assurance that pets will not get infected.

“That is why all pet dogs have to be vaccinated and stray dogs removed,” he pointed out.

He also emphasised that pet dogs should be kept within the house compound at all times, especially one month after being vaccinated as the vaccine only works after one month of injection.

The vaccination drive, which started on Jan 20, runs until March 1.

The next session will be at the Kanowit District Council hall today and tomorrow (Jan 26) from 9am till 4pm.

On this, Dr Annuar urged pet owners to bring their dogs for this free vaccination programme as it will cost RM50 per vaccination at private veterinary clinics.

Members of the public can call 013-8077964 or 084-310808 to find out the exact location and dates for the free vaccination for their dogs.